- Ghana's National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has greenlit the commercialization of 14 new genetically modified (GM) products.
- The approval allows these GM products to be used for food, animal feed, and even industrial purposes.
- The GM cowpea needs fewer chemicals, offering a promising solution for farmers and making crops more resilient.
Ghana’s National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has greenlit the commercialization of 14 new genetically modified (GM) products. This includes eight maize and six soybean varieties. This decision is a major step forward for Ghana’s use of biotechnology to improve its agriculture.
The approval allows these GM products to be used for food, animal feed, and even industrial purposes. This highlights the potential benefits of these advancements. Ghana aims to leverage biotechnology responsibly to ensure sustainable agricultural growth and boost the economy.
This isn’t the first such move by Ghana. In 2022, the NBA approved a GM cowpea resistant to the Maruca pod borer pest. This pest can devastate over half of cowpea pods without controls. The GM cowpea needs fewer chemicals, offering a promising solution for farmers and making crops more resilient.
The US Department of Agriculture commended Ghana for its commitment to science-based solutions for food security challenges like climate change. A recent report acknowledged that while delayed, Ghana’s approval of these new GM products strengthens its position as a leader in Sub-Saharan Africa for adopting science-backed policies. The global scientific community welcomes this decision, expecting it to improve trade and food security.
See the list of approved GMOs below;
